Royal, The Forgotten Heir

Chapter 13: Healing and Hope

Back at the palace, Seraphina lay in her bed, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of her home. The sunlight filtered through the grand windows, casting a soft glow over the room. Despite the pain in her legs, she felt a deep sense of relief and gratitude. She was safe, and she was home.

King Aldric sat by her bedside, his eyes filled with concern. Alexander stood nearby, watching over his sister with a protective intensity. The palace healers worked diligently, applying soothing balms and changing her bandages with gentle care.

"You're going to be alright, Seraphina," King Aldric said softly, his voice filled with fatherly love. "The healers say your wounds will heal with time."

Seraphina nodded, managing a small smile. "Thank you, Father. And thank you, Alexander. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Alexander stepped closer, taking her hand in his. "I promised I would bring you back, and I meant it. You're safe now, and that's all that matters."

As the healers finished their work, they left the room, giving the family some privacy. King Aldric looked at his children, his heart swelling with pride and relief. "We've been through so much, but we're together again. That's what's important."

Seraphina leaned back against the pillows, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in weeks. "I was so scared," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Lucien... he was so cruel. But I knew you would come for me, Alexander."

Alexander's grip on her hand tightened. "I'm just sorry it took so long. If I had known sooner..."

"It's not your fault," Seraphina interrupted. "You came as soon as you could. And you saved me. That's what matters."

King Aldric placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder. "Your bravery and determination saved your sister. You have proven yourself a true leader, my son."

Alexander nodded, humbled by his father's words. "We still have a lot of work to do. Lucien may be defeated, but there are others who would seek to harm our family. We need to be vigilant."

King Aldric sighed, his expression weary but resolute. "You're right. We must strengthen our defenses and ensure the safety of our kingdom. But for now, we focus on healing and rebuilding."

As the days passed, Seraphina's wounds slowly began to heal. She spent her time resting, her family always nearby. Alexander took on more responsibilities, overseeing the kingdom's security and working closely with their allies to root out any remaining threats.

One afternoon, as the sun cast a warm glow over the garden, Seraphina and Alexander sat outside, enjoying the fresh air. Seraphina leaned back in her chair, feeling the gentle breeze on her face.

"It's beautiful out here," she said softly, her eyes closed in contentment.

Alexander nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "It is. I've missed moments like this."

Seraphina opened her eyes, looking at her brother with gratitude. "I never got to thank you properly. You risked everything to save me."

Alexander shook his head. "You don't need to thank me, Seraphina. You're my sister. I would do it all again in a heartbeat."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the tranquility of the garden providing a much-needed respite from the turmoil they had endured. After a few moments, Seraphina spoke again, her voice thoughtful.

"What do you think will happen now? With Lucien gone, do you think we'll finally have peace?"

Alexander's expression grew serious. "I hope so. But we can't be complacent. We need to stay strong and united, ready to face whatever challenges come our way."

Seraphina nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "We will. Together, we can overcome anything."

As the days turned into weeks, Seraphina's strength gradually returned. Her legs healed, and she began to walk again, with Alexander and King Aldric supporting her every step of the way. The bond between the siblings grew even stronger, forged in the fires of their shared ordeal.

One evening, as they gathered for dinner in the grand dining hall, King Aldric raised his glass, his eyes shining with pride and love. "To family," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "To resilience and hope. We have faced darkness, but together, we will always find the light."

Alexander and Seraphina raised their glasses, their hearts swelling with gratitude and determination. They had been through so much, but they had emerged stronger, their bond unbreakable.

As they drank to the future, they knew that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together, as a family. And with that knowledge, they felt ready to take on the world.

~~~